Monday, 22 June 2015

MY NEW JOB

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I recently started a new job as a health care assistant in my local town. I've only worked there for a week (and a bit) but I have learnt so much already, and think that it's an incredibly eye opening job to have.

I definitely now have a new found respect for nurses, carers and doctors (basically anyone who works long shifts in the health profession), because I didn't realise how tiring it can be working with people, putting on a smiley face, and running around with very short breaks. I have loved it - I love that I can help people and that I'm making their day a little easier, but it's definitely woken me up to how much work actually goes into providing health care for someone. Not only that, but the number of illnesses and limitations that come with growing older are sometimes heartbreaking, and it definitely makes you realise how lucky we are to be fully functioning and able.

I think the most eye opening thing I've been lucky enough to work with, is motor neurone disease. If you don't know what that is, it's a disorder involving the death of neurons, characterised by stiff muscles and muscle wastage (eventually leading to difficulty swallowing, talking and breathing). I think we've all seen The Theory of Everything or read a little bit about Stephen Hawking, but until you've seen it first hand, you really can't imagine how heartbreaking the illness is. You essentially become a prisoner in your own body, and it's just something we can't begin to understand. I say I'm lucky to work with this particular person, and I really am, because I have begun to appreciate life just that little bit more.

I really am learning so so much on this job, from medication administration, peg feeding to oxygen masks, and I am meeting some lovely people along the way. So, I think I can say that I'm going to really enjoy it and the experience it provides me with, which ultimately is what I'm doing it for.

Oh, your job sounds amazing, Sam! To be able to work for the health and wellbeing of other despite your tiredness is such a wonderful thing, and your embracing is just makes it all the more amazing. Congrats on the job, and I hope you have a great time doing it!

I'm glad you like your job Samantha :) It is so important to spend these hours per day getting satisfaction out of it rather than doing it just for the money. My mum's boyfriend is a nurse and I do have respect for the service she provides in the community.

I'm so glad you're enjoying your new job Sam. I too work as a carer during my holidays and it can be such hard work sometimes like you say, and not many people recognise that. MND is such an awful disease, I think the worst thing is that the person still has complete cognition so knows exactly what is going on. It must be so frustrating. But you are doing an amazing thing, helping those that really need it, and it's not a job that many people could do - so well done and keep going!! :)

Wow! Kudos on picking such a hard profession! I think it takes a real special someone to work in the health system. The long hours must be tough but I don't think I could handle being around sick people, I would just want to hug them all the time!! I'd never get anything done!

This was a really lovely and inspirational post! Thank you for sharing it!